Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling team Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, the award-winning If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is one of the most beloved children's books of all time.

This book is a great first introduction to Mouse, the star of the If You Give series and a perennial favorite among children. And with its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is perfect for beginning readers and story time!

More About
This Book

Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling team Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, the award-winning If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is one of the most beloved children's books of all time.

This book is a great first introduction to Mouse, the star of the If You Give series and a perennial favorite among children. And with its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is perfect for beginning readers and story time!

If a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he'll ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim...

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's day.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

What happens if you give a mouse a cookie? Why he'll need a glass of milk to go with it! He'll also need a straw, a napkin, a mirror--each item prompts the need for another. When the mouse is hanging a picture from a refrigerator (how did he get there?), he's reminded that he's thirsty and needs a glass of milk (uh-oh). With this milk, it's absolutely necessary to have a cookie, of course! Bond's wonderful illustrations enliven this modern day classic.

Children's Literature
- Sylvia Firth

What more can one say about a perky, demanding mouse dressed in blue jean coveralls that has not already been said? After all, he has been around for twenty-five years! He has delighted a whole generation of children with the demands he makes on a young boy who is also clad in blue jeans and red high-top sneakers. The story opens as the unnamed boy offers a mouse a cookie. He then wants a glass of milk (with a straw) to go with the cookie. The mouse continues with his demands. These include a napkin, nail scissors and a broom that he uses to sweep the entire house. Now the mouse is so weary, he needs a place to take a nap and a story (with pictures). This leads to a request for paper and crayons so he may draw his own picture, which must then be hung on the refrigerator. Now the mouse is thirsty again and wants a glass of milk and, of course, another cookie. The final page shows the exhausted boy sound asleep amid the chaos of the day's activities as the mouse contentedly munches on a chocolate chip cookie. Youngsters will delight in sharing this story at story time or reading it independently and pouring over the charming pictures to discover little extras, such as the mouse undressing in preparation for his nap. Another bonus is a game at the end of the book entitled The Great Cookie Chase. If this title is not in the collection, it definitely belongs there, along with all the other volumes in the "If You Give...book" series. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth

Children's Literature
- Marilyn Courtot

Bright colorful drawings and an entertaining story of how one simple event, giving a mouse a cookie, triggers other thoughts and events. Everyone knows that if you give a mouse a cookie...well, he'll end up wanting your entire house! As the pushy rodent demands more and more it is easy for children to relate to the activities which are attributed to the mouse, but really relate to their lives. This popular story is available in regular book, book and audio and big book versions for story time in schools and libraries.

Meet the Author

More by this Author

Laura Numeroff is the author of many books for young readers in addition to the If You Give... series, including The Chicken Sisters and Laura Numeroff's 10-Step Guide to Living with Your Monster. She lives in Los Angeles, CA where she loves to ride horses, read biographies, and play with her pets. A portion of her royalties will be donated to First Book, a national nonprofit organization that promotes children’s literacy.

Felicia Bond is the illustrator of numerous books for children. In addition to the If You Give . . . series, she has also illustrated, among other titles, Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown and Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate. She's the author and illustrator of the Poinsettia books, The Day It Rained Hearts, The Halloween Play, and Tumble Bumble. An avid animal lover, reader, and cook, she lived for many years in New York and currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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If you buy this book for a three year old...

If you read it in the living room, you will probably read it in the dining room.

If you read it in the dining room, you will probably read it at nap time.

And if you read it at naptime, you will probably read it at bed time.

And chances are, if you read it at bed time, you will read it a second time. :)

Our three year old great-niece LOVES this book and the "If you give a cat a cupcake" book. She pretty much picks one of the two a few times each week for us to read to her at nap and bedtime. The pictures are great, and allow us to go "outside" the story and look for items, and when he is drawing - colors of crayons and counting things in the pictures and other learning activities while reading the book. Other than that and the educational value of learning that choices come with consquences, this doesn't have much "educational" value - it isn't a counting book or have a deep moral story. But, it is a very beautiful book and when our great-niece outgrows it, it will go on my art book shelf.

So, if you buy this book, chances are you will enjoy it and the little one you buy it for will also enjoy it - again, and again.

:)

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 17, 2010

Not just for kids

I bought this book after referring to it at work and realizing that none of my co-workers had read it. As this was a classic from my childhood, I was a bit flabbergasted. I shared it with them, and now have it sitting on my desk as a reminder of thinking through a scenario from end-to-end. I'm in the software industry, and it's a simple but effective illustration of the fact that it's not just enough to give your customers a feature: you have to think about what they'll do with it when they get it. The lessons in the book are ones adults need to be reminded of too, not just ones for kids.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 22, 2001

The Mouse Asks, the Boy Gives, and the Chase Is On!

Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond have teamed up on several children's stories. Many people will tell you that this is their favorite in the series. I slightly prefer When You Give a Moose a Muffin, but you'll have to decide for yourself by reading them both. Having had two sons, I always found them most delightful when they were the most physically worn out. Oh, if only I had had this mouse to keep them occupied! The boy is sitting in his front yard eating a cookie. He spies a mouse, and gives the mouse a little bite. This is a forward mouse, though, and he asks if he might have a glass of milk to go with the cookie. The boy takes him inside and obliges. Then the mouse inquires about having a straw. The boy finds him one. Then the mouse requests a napkin. That means that he is concerned about having a milk mustache. So the mouse wants a mirror to check. While looking in the mirror, he notices that his whiskers need some trimming. He requests some nail scissors from the boy. Considerately, he then wants a broom to sweep up. But if you're going to sweep in one area, you might as well do many. While you're at it, the floors could use a good washing. That makes the mouse tired, so he needs a nap. The boy makes him a little bed out of a box and a tiny blanket and pillow. But the mouse cannot sleep without a story. Seeing the pictures, the mouse thinks what fun it would be to make some pictures. Paper and crayons must be obtained! After the picture is done, he must naturally have a pen to sign his name. Then, the boy has to get some Scotch tape so that the picture can go on the refrigerator. Then, of course, you get thirsty from all that activity. You get some milk from the refrigerator . . . and of course, it's a good idea to have a cookie. And off we go again!! The contrast between the increasingly exhausted looking boy, and the sprightly mouse make for much good humor. Also, the boy is better at getting things for the mouse than putting them away, so the house is soon filled with messy piles of what the mouse wanted . . . sort of mouse droppings as it were. The absurdity of a tiny mouse running a boy ragged is quite hilarious to youngsters. By reading the book faster and faster, you can add a note of semi-hysteria that increases the fun. The words are easy to follow, and closely track the illustrations. Children can easily begin to memorize the story, decode the words, fill in the blanks, and later begin to read aloud to you (first from memory, and later in reality). The book is beautifully illustrated in a semi-Dr. Seuss style by Felicia Bond that adds much to the enjoyment. One thing I like about the story is that it gets into how one thing can lead to another. That's one of the best ways to stimulate intelligence and imaginative thinking. It is also good for problem solving later in life. Now, where did all these mouse whisker shavings come from? What caused them? After you have had fun with this story as written, you might want to have a little more fun with your child or grandchild and occasionally change one of the words. For example, when the mouse wants a napkin, you might substitute 'd

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Skye16

Posted July 4, 2011

Great Book

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff, is a wonderful story I read growing up. The story begins in front of a young boys house when he crosses paths with a wandering mouse dressed in denim overalls and offers the rodent a cookie. From there the reader is taken on an adventure through the day, experiencing what happened after the mouse ate the cookie. This is a great book for reading aloud to children being introduced to books, or silent reading for first and second graders. The illustrations by Felicia Bond also do an amazing job. Her intricate detail coerces the reader into seeing what the boy sees. When it comes to younger readers, pictures can be everything. It is the pictures, especially the cover, that first catch a students' eye and makes them want to read on, and this book does not disappoint. This book is also very versatile. In previous lessons I have had students write predictions on what they think the mouse will ask for next, and in other classes I have also had students write their own version of the book, deciding what they think the mouse would ask for. A book such as this has endless possibilities for activities. Another suggested activity to use when reading this book might include having your class bake cookies to eat while the book is being read, making their own mouse ears to wear during read aloud time. A teacher could also incorporate a lesson revolving around what mice actually eat and do, depending on your students' grade level. This is a timeless classic that children of all ages will love. With the whimsical depictions of a mouse acting like a human, and the humorous things the mouse asks for next will keep the students engaged and hold their attention right to the very end. Picture books are not hard to come by today, but books which keep your students interested and engaged from start to finish is. Not only will this book accomplish the above, it will have your students clambering in line to read the other editions such as If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, both of which are just as good as the original.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Neselee

Posted May 15, 2010

Ahhhh.....the mouse and the cookie!

This book is a favorite in my house. I hope my grandson will enjoy reading it one day.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 16, 2015

Recommended - kids love it

This book is fun for kids. I get lots of laughs from my grandchildren.

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Carstairs38

Posted July 19, 2014

Creative and Fun Progression
Giving a mouse a cookie might see

Creative and Fun Progression

Giving a mouse a cookie might seem like a simple kindness, but you never know where it might lead. After all, milk has to go with a cookie, but somehow that leads to housework and even creating art.

Honestly, this is a book that charms. It’s a simple idea and there are very few lines per page. And yet the progression is fun (after all, the mouse helps you out, too, he's not just demanding things) and the illustrations are great.

I missed these books until recently, and if you are like me, check them out. They are simple and outlandish but fun.

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SleepDreamWrite

Posted October 9, 2013

Good

Another favorite childhood read. This one was adorable.

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Daisy215

Posted July 24, 2013

A cute book for all ages

The "If You Give..." series is still popular among children just as this book was popular when I was a child. The story is cute and fun and the illustrations make this book a forever classic, and a must have.
My favorite part of this book has to be the illustrations. I remember them from when I was a child and to see them again jogged my memory, they stay with you that well. There's even a cute board game on the back inside cover.
There are two downsides to this book, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It bothers me that the child in this book is the stereotypical peach skinned brown haired boy. I understand that different races are represented in the different books, but I think some diversity would've been nice. The other thing is the board game in the back. This book is developmentally appropriate for preschoolers, and that game is geared toward older children. It's a cute game but most children preschool or kindergarten age won't be reading words like straw. It does relate to the book, and if you take turns playing it with groups of children you can do the reading for them.
The last thing would be the book cover. You always have to take off the book covers because kids will end up destroying them anyways. However, unlike some books, underneath this book cover is a solid green cover with a small red mouse. Simply but, without the book cover the kids don't know which book it is. I thought about using contact paper to stick the cover to the book and protect it, but then it will covering the board game in back.

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psycheKK

Posted July 15, 2013

You cannot go wrong with any "If You Give..." book, bu

You cannot go wrong with any &quot;If You Give...&quot; book, but the first is my favorite. Numeroff's story is sweet and silly, funny and charming, but what really make this book so well-loved by so many children and adults is the magic that is Felicia Bond's illustration. The whole becomes greater than the parts when an excellent storyteller is teamed with an excellent illustrator.

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Meadows_16

Posted November 27, 2012

I love this book. It is not only for kids but teenagers as well

I love this book. It is not only for kids but teenagers as well. Because I myself is in 8th grade and I still find this book enjoyable . It has been and always will be my favorite book.

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Anonymous

Posted November 27, 2012

i love this book . it is my favorite book, because i used to rea

i love this book . it is my favorite book, because i used to read it all the time when i was little. even though im older and in the 8th grade i still find this book interesting. i think this is an awsome book for childrens. if you have children i would recommend reading this to them.

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I love this book

It was my favorite book as a child. I now work with kids and i plan on reading this to my class.

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Feelix

Posted December 11, 2011

Highly Recommend A must read book and series

My son who is 4 1/2 LOVES all of these books. He has the whole series. This book is simple, straight forward and funny. Just got him If You Give A Dog A Donut. Can't wait to see what happens in that book. I'm sure he will love it.

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Anonymous

Posted October 16, 2011

I loved this book!!!

I had it when I was in Kindergarden. I'm 23 now.

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ohpreciousone

Posted September 8, 2011

a child's classic !

highly recommended!!
given as a bay shower gift

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tchrreader

Posted May 31, 2010

A cute story-

These stories are the best. I read all of these stories to my class room as well as my own children. They have a cute rhyme to them and the illustrations are so adorable! You will love to read these books. This follows the journey of the mouse and what happens if you give the mouse a cookie, what will he want next. All because you gave the little mouse a cookie. Your children or students will beg you to read this story again and again! It is such a cute story and so are the others-

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beasmom

Posted January 31, 2010

Adorable & Clever

This is one of my daughter's favorites -- and mine as well. My 15 month old loves pointing out the objects and characters in the pictures and the illustrations are vivid and very colorful. The story is adorable - definitely one my daughter will come to appreciate even more as she gets older.

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A classic for you child's collection

A fun read (and re-read). My daughter (3) and son (11 months) love it. A must have. Check out the rest of the series also.

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BirderAnnie

Posted January 16, 2010

for ANY age a must read

Just very funny and true, about human nature. Beguiling pictures of both mouse and boy and simple memorable words. It makes you wish you had a mouse to give a cookie to. A wonderful gift for any age and sex.

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